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The end of year awards season is about to jump-off and it seems GQ Magazine got things rolling. They named Colin Kaepernick their Citizen of the Year. He’s been a trailblazer for social justice issues. There’s also Blake Shelton being named Sexiest Man Alive by People Magazine. Fans are spreading the love.

Tyler Perry and Jamie Foxx might find themselves on a different list. They’d at least get honorable mentions in discussions around Funniest Man Alive. A few other names might depend on the ‘type of funny’ category. Perry & Foxx certainly have cred as Hollywood high roller & Hollyhood high achiever.

They’ve been in the public eye for a while but for Perry the road to Tinsel-town wasn’t always a song and dance. He describes his story as one of always believing that Higher is Waiting. This mindset helped him in getting through the dark times, appreciating the good times and celebrating those high times.

It was more about chasing the dream than chasing the fame. This balancing act started with a showbiz project that kinda got them in the game. Some will remember Foxx from his In Living Color days. But for Perry it’s been a journey that got started with his urban-styled stage plays.

Some teary-eyed times are usually when talking about special people in their lives. For Foxx it was a grandmother who took care of him after adoption. With Perry there were folks who helped him connect his faith to hopes for a brighter future. They’re grateful for the advice and support they got along the way.

Their road to success was first nurtured by close family members or friends. But it seems there’re moments in life that are set aside on our journeys where people show up as strangers. Sometimes their presence is about getting to the next point. Other times it’s about getting the point in life’s journey.

It’s like when I first read the book of a famous media personality. It describes his journey of going from average kid to getting a Star on Hollywood’s Walk of Fame. Two particular factors mentioned in the book related to certain aspects in my own journey. It’s the kind of thing that’s used as a bookmark of life.

Well if not as a bookmark then there’re those situations that are more like milestones. We appreciate milestone markers on a long road trip. One reason for those markers is letting us know where we are on the highway stretch. But another is to let us know how far we’ve travelled since the starting point.

Foxx and Perry are making the most of the journey by turning their bookmarks into a grander sense of purpose. They’re also turning milestones into ways for helping others get to the next point. That’s the balancing act they try to manage in chasing the dream without getting distracted by chasing the fame.

So let’s get back to the idea of Funniest Man Alive. In terms of being among the super funny, it probably takes having a certain punch to the flow of funny. Then the punch-line will be more than just scripted. Well in chasing the dream it takes having a certain punch to the flow of whatever makes us razzle dazzle.

Tip: In chasing the dream it takes having a certain punch to the flow of whatever makes us razzle & dazzle.

NBC’s doing more ‘Live TV’ magic with The Wiz. Its star, 19 year-old Shanice Williams. She isn’t the only new face in entertainment. Recording artist Tori Kelly is being named Billboard’s breakthrough artist of 2015. Williams and Kelly are going from relative unknown to household names in the blink of a dream.

On landing the role Williams tells the NY Post “It wouldn’t process in my head, for some reason. I had some Chipotle after that and then just wanted to go to sleep and wake up so I knew I wasn’t dreaming!” Reality is what happened to her from dreaming about being selected best-in-class for a major project.

They spent years dreaming about being where they are today. Kelly started out on Youtube and was later discovered. For Williams it was in watching others perform on stage and seeing herself. After the past year in LA theater school she returned to her NJ home and auditioned for the role, beating-out 300 girls.

Pursuing our dreams is a lot like watching the TV weather map projected on green screen. There’re seasons, patterns and flows along with Highs and Lows. But a click can make things change on screen in the blink of an eye. Williams might say it’s a God-click that’s changed her situation in the blink of a dream.

Above all, their dreams took strength, courage and homespun wisdom. So they’re now working at a higher ‘jet stream’ with other big names in showbiz. A radiant smile and seasoned performances will make them ready for more big things. That’s why it’s not over until the phone rings or dreamline blings.

The magic of ‘Live TV.’ In The Wiz on NBC. Shanice Williams the newest star. Ready to takeoff and go far. Not only new face on the block. Artist Tori Kelly set to take stock. Being named Billboard’s artist of the year. With some new music to hear. From relative unknown in talent. To ‘blink of a dream’ in their assent.

Williams landing lead role. To NY Post she shares her soul. At first not able to process in her head. What the show’s caller just said. Needing to grab a bite and take a nap. Before seeing if dream was in her lap. Reality is what happened after that. Her dream selection for best-in-class project stat.

Spent years dreaming about a day. When they wouldn’t have words to say. Kelly, first as a Youtube standout. Being discovered was her handout. Williams watched others on stage. Before seeing herself on cover page. The past year in LA theater school. Then back home to audition and beat the pool.

Pursuing dreams like heard on weather call. Or TV’s green screen forecast wall. Having seasons, patterns and flows. Along with nature’s highs and lows. But a click can make quick change. In blink of an eye a new range. Williams saying ‘Big Daddy’ got her ready to blow. Blink of a dream becomes a show.

Strength, courage homespun wiz-dom above all. Things that make dreams stand tall. Reaching a higher ‘jet stream’ in fame. Working with others having big name. Radiant smile, seasoned performances in their game. For new things above the same. It’s not over until the phone rings. Or at least the dreamline blings.

Tip: Our dreams take strength, courage and homespun wiz-dom or a magical audition for the good life.

Talkback: Who would it have been great to see perform in the latest re-do of The Wiz?

The jury’s out on Jamie Foxx hosting the iHeart Music Awards. He’s taken some heat for his monologue jokes. The show saw Rihanna channeling Lil Kim. There were others who made headlines. But Ryan Seacrest has made a name for himself not just in showbiz but by putting heart into his work ethic.

Why wouldn’t people put this into their work or businesses into their brands? Southwest Airlines knows the importance of heart. They’ve added it to their logo and commercial appeal as the ‘dot’ in dotcom. Even iHeartRadio seems to have caught-on that the parent company changed names to iHeart Media.

Business leaders know it takes heart to captivate and soul to motivate. Maybe Taylor Swift and Justin Timberlake can relate. She received a few honors while he was named Music Innovator. Their body of work speaks for itself. Some might say she streams heart into her songs while he pours soul into his.

In words you’ve heard before, they know ‘all about that base makes top dollar.’ They connect their fan-base with music, fun and lots more. Who knew that Swift had such admiration for Timberlake? She could possibly be the next recipient of the Innovator Award (Well, Kanye West might have something to say).

As one of the few from the original crew, Seacrest keeps things ‘light and loose’ on American Idol. Swift keeps turning out #1 albums and Timberlake keeps delivering his music as ‘white soul.’ They all bring heart to the stage the way an athlete combines passion and grace within their greatness.

Jury’s out on iHeart Awards host Jamie Foxx. Many not sure he knocked it out the box. Taken some heat for his monologue jokes. Didn’t go over well with some folks. Rihanna showed-up like Lil Kim of old. Others made headlines not as bold. Seacrest in the building with his heart. Work ethic sets him far apart.

Why wouldn’t people put heart in their brands? Opens the door to more buying hands. Southwest Airlines adds heart to its sleeves. As seen on its logo and pamphlet leaves. Commercial appeal to hit the spot. As seen in its URL dot. Even iHeartRadio on the same page. Changing its name on the main stage.

Biz leaders know heart helps to captivate. Then add some soul to motivate. Maybe Taylor Swift and Justin Timberlake can relate. As they cash-in the money plate. She gets a few honors as songwriter. He gets the press as Music Innovator. She streams heart from track to track. He pours soul like Aloe Blacc.

In words you’ve heard before. ‘All about that base makes top dollar’ the score. So they connect with their fan-base for sure. With music, fun and a whole lot more. Who knew Swift had such admiration. For Timberlake’s personification? Could be next Innovator star. Kanye West not ready to say she’s on par.

One of the few Idol originals. Keeps things light, loose, with the lyricals. Swift keeps turning out #1 songs. Timberlake fans think he does no wrongs. Music that’s kinda like ‘white soul.’ And comedy skits from his SNL role. Bringing lots of heart to the mix. An athlete’s passion and grace on the greatness fix.

Tip: Where there’s heart like an athlete you’ll find passion and grace locked-in with greatness.Talkback: Who’d you think should be the next host of the iHeart Music Awards?Groove-Tracks: (Double-play for the Easter Holiday!)

Kanye West – ‘Heartless’ –

Mary Mary – ‘Go Get It’ –

This production of “Wise-up Wednesdays” Blogcast by Douette ‘Doc’ Cunningham is a presentation in “social media entertainment from the groove-track of life!” #WUWECAST